23. THE BOY WHO RECEIVED THE MOUSE POWER.
Young man stays behind when people go hunting. He goes through village and hears crying. He goes to lodge and sees woman wrapped in buffalo robe, who tells him people have taken her children. She says they are in sacred bundle robe, and asks him to go and bring her children back. He does so and gives nest with children to woman. She tells him to return at night and then becomes mouse. Young man goes to lodge at night and finds woman there. Rats come in human form and priest gives him war-club and power to become mouse at any time, and little box of medicine. Woman tells him he is now her son and says they are not to kill mice as they are his relatives. Young man becomes great warrior. In enemy’s camp he turns into mouse and drives ponies out of camp after cutting ropes. He becomes so bold that people become afraid of him, but finally he and young man who has power of Bear fight and kill one another.